EAST Budleigh youngsters have been hard at work in a bid to crackdown on dog fouling in the village.

EAST Budleigh youngsters have been hard at work in a bid to crackdown on dog fouling in the village.

Pupils from Drakes Primary School and Little Otters pre-school have teamed up with the police and designed posters to promote responsible dog ownership.

The Little Otters' tots presented their alternative posters to the Community Shop in the hope visitors and residents will keep the village tidy.

Fancy That tearooms and the East Budleigh Community Shop donated prizes to reward the youngsters for their help.

The children's involvement is down to a community drive to stamp out dog mess in East Budleigh.

Drakes' pupils were presented with their prizes during school assembly.

Police community support officer Malcolm Maguire said: "The pupils at Drakes produced over 40 different designs promoting responsible dog ownership.

"The designs were of a very high standard and they had been on display in the tea rooms for patrons to vote for their favourite designs.

"Two pupils received a complimentary tea for two as joint-winners and the second placed received a large set of colouring pens. "Further to this Janice, from Fancy That tearooms, was so impressed by the pupils' enthusiasm towards this project she handmade individual cakes for all the pupils to reward their efforts. "A selection of the designs will be displayed in prominent locations around the village to act as an additional deterrent."

The neighbourhood police team, PC David Lea and PCSO Maguire, in recent weeks have been patrolling some of East Budleigh's worst affected areas, including the recreation ground.

Both officers have issued police warning notices to all dog walkers, asking them to pick up after their pets.